a16z Podcast

Why AI Voice Feels More Human Than Ever

990 snips
Mar 18, 2025
AI voice technology is rapidly evolving, feeling more human than ever before. The conversation revolves around its growing acceptance, which enhances human connections rather than replacing them. Innovations in language models are making AI interactions more emotionally engaging across industries. The competitive landscape is shifting, with startups challenging tech giants. There's a notable trend towards opinionated voice technology, emphasizing personality and cultural nuances, while adaptable founders are driving market innovation at unprecedented speed.
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INSIGHT

AI Assistants' Shortcomings

  • Early AI voice assistants like Siri and Alexa failed due to robotic voices and limited capabilities.
  • They lacked personality, conversational depth, and true internet connectivity, hindering their appeal.
INSIGHT

Advancements in AI Voice

  • AI voice technology has significantly improved due to better Large Language Models (LLMs) and text-to-speech.
  • This advancement enables more human-like conversations and opens new possibilities for voice as a primary AI interaction method.
ANECDOTE

Undetectable AI Calls

  • Many businesses already use AI for thousands of daily calls, often without customers realizing it.
  • AI voice agents are becoming so sophisticated that they can sound indistinguishable from humans, especially in short interactions.
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